SUMMER SPECIAL : tips on how to make the most of the beach in Brittany in complete safety
Summer is here and thousands of holidaymakers are heading for the beaches in Brittany. But before you plunge into the water, here are a few tips and words of advice on swimming in the sea with your family in complete safety during your camping holiday in Brittany.
Look out for the flags !
When you get to the beach, look around you for the beach warning flag, usually located near the first-aid post.
A green flag means : « bathing lifeguarded, no particular danger »
A yellow/orange flag means : « dangerous bathing conditions, but lifeguarded »
A bright red flag means « bathing forbidden» .
The Blue Flag or « Pavillon Bleu » is awarded to the most eco-friendly beaches in Brittany to reward those who put concrete measures into practice: reduce the impact of mass tourism, beach cleanliness, recycling, information regarding the biodiversity of the site, continual assessment of the quality of the water, etc.
Choose a lifeguarded beach
The majority of beaches in Brittany are watched by qualified lifeguards but we strongly recommend you swim close to the first-aid post.
The force of the waves and currents can often be treacherous even for excellent swimmers. In Brittany, and all along the Atlantic coast, there is always a risk of drowning. So stay safe !
Read on the blog : Welcome to our campsites in Brittany
The beach and children
At the beach, your children’s safety is a priority. Choose a beach on a slight slope so toddlers can splash and play on the edge of the water in complete safety. Young children should wear armbands or, better still, a swimming vest or floating swimsuit.Even if the flag is green and the beach is lifeguarded, don’t let your children or grandchildren out of your sight at any time. Certain coastal resorts in Brittany such as Saint Malo, Perros-Guirec, Bénodet and La Baule, distribute free « beach wristbands » indicating the child’s name and parent’s phone number. A great idea that reassures both parents and children.
Avoid going to the beach during the hottest hours of the day, between midday and 4pm when the sun is blazing. And don’t forget your parasol or beach tent so you can sit in the shade.
The ideal family kit : a cap or sun hat, a pair of sunglasses, suncream with maximum protection (factor 50). Children’s skin is much more sensitive than adults’ skin. Also add to the list, wipes, a bottle of water and saline solution – very handy if you get sand in your eyes.
